A History of the Mahrattas v1.c10.50

v1.c10.50

The reason given for their being seldom garrisoned by Mahomedans was their insalubrity, particularly during the rains; and as they had always been reduced with extraordinary facility, they were not estimated in proportion to their real importance. At the period at which we have arrived, the Beejapoor government, being at peace with the Moghuls and engaged in plundering or reducing the Carnatic, had removed all their best troops to that part of the country. There was no hill fort in Shahjee’s Jagheer, committed to the care of Dadajee Konedeo. The strong fort of Kondaneh¹ had a Mahomedan Killidar; and Poorundhur was under charge of a Bramin appointed by Morar Punt. Shahjee’s family were on terms of intimacy with both Killidars, particularly Neelkunt Rao of Poorundhur, who was originally under the Nizam Shahee government and had adhered to Shahjee.